Sep 21, 2008 | 2:00 PM | Match Report: South v Perth (NBL)

by: Paul Miles

South Dragons 91 (Groves 23, Gibson 17, Worthington 11)
Perth Wildcats 87 (Redhage 17, Knight 17, Victor 14)
@ Challenge Stadium, Perth; 21/09/08. Crowd: approx 4400

Brian Goorjian's 700th game in the NBL turned into the best contest of the NBL's opening round. This was South's second win in a busy three game week, and fatigue may have played a role as starters Mark Worthington (2/11), Nick Horvath (1/4), Trammell Darden (1/4), and Joe Ingles (1/5) were ineffectual. Missouri native Cortez Groves stepped up and put up 23 points in 31 minutes off the bench. He combined with Aquaman for 40 of South's 91 points.

Despite the weak legs, South took a 32:27 lead into the second quarter. But it was the trio of Isiah Victor, Peter Crawford and Ben Knight that helped Perth go into the intermission with a four point lead. And a fifteen point lead halfway through the 3rd had Perth confidently in the driver seat. That's when Cortez Groves put on his Superman costume and swooped in to save the day. Three triples from Groves took the game into the fourth stanza 77-73 to Perth.

In the final period, Perth were held scoreless for the opening four minutes. But Wildcater Alex Loughton's three point late in the game leveled the score. And it took Joe Ingles taking a charge from Loughton to put the game on ice for Goorjian's Dragons.

For Perth, five players went for double digits, lead by Shawn Redhage and Ben Knight paired up for 17 points each. Kentucky born guard Isiah Victor grabbed 12 rebounds to go along with his 14 point night.

Dragons v Wildcats | photo: SouthDragons.com

Labels: alex loughton, ben knight, brian goorjian, cortez groves, isiah victor, joe ingles, match report, perth wildcats, peter crawford, shawn redhage, south dragons

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